In support of Zimbabwean exiles

Ahead of the rally in London this Friday (11 July) in support of Zimbabwean exiles in the UK, London Citizens has compiled a series of quotes by politicians of all parties and others:

Neil Jameson, LONDON CITIZENS lead organizer
'Britain can best help Zimbabwe in its dark hour by enabling its future leaders to acquire the skills to rebuild the country when the opportunity comes.  Instead, thousands of Zimbabwean exiles in the UK live in limbo - demotivated and de-skilled, and prevented by law even from working as volunteers.'

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York
'This is not a party political venture.  It is not pro-MDC or anti-Zanu PF.  Rather it is for the people of Zimbabwe, black and white, being helped by those here in Britain, white and black.  We need to remember there is only one race - the human race - and in joining together to restore Zimbabwe, we ease the sufferings of our brothers and sisters.'

Kate Hoey MP
'We should be helping Zimbabweans develop the skills they will need when they return home to rebuild the economy and institutions of Zimbabwe.  Instead we' re condemning those skills to rust.'

On 3 July Edward Davey MP (Lib-Dem) told the House of Commons:
'The key development objective for a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe must be to help as many Zimbabweans living in this country prepare for their task of rebuilding their country, through education, training and work experience ...  I have spoken to representatives of the Movement for Democratic Change and of many of the organisations that work with Zimbabweans living in this country, and they are quietly critical of the Government for not doing much more.  Their criticisms come down to two things—that huge uncertainties remain for failed asylum seekers, and that the thousands of Zimbabweans still waiting for their original asylum cases to be heard are unable to work.  Those people have been left virtually destitute, with their skills and talents untapped by this country and withering away when it comes to any future use in Zimbabwe ...  The policy issue involved is totally in the Government's control.  No quiet diplomacy or negotiation with any other country is needed; Ministers could take a decision and act.  Why cannot all Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers be given special discretionary leave to remain lasting, say, for two years from today? That would give them the certainty that they need to get their lives together so that they can prepare for their eventual return to Zimbabwe.  Ministers could also allow those people the right to work, and give the same right to work to the thousand of Zimbabweans who have been waiting for their asylum cases to be heard.  Those people are seeking sanctuary in this country from the evil of Mugabe, but why do we allow them to suffer here? They have to rely on charity hand-outs and Red Cross parcels, but why can we not allow them the dignity of work?'

Baroness Shirley Williams
'There are several thousand Zimbabweans living in the UK whose dignity and future prospects are undermined because they are banned from working.  Until they are able to return to a Zimbabwe which is democratic and safe, they should be given the right to work … While they are in the UK they want to work, to support themselves and their families, to pay taxes and contribute to the economy.  But they are being denied this opportunity.  By working while they are here their skills could be nurtured and developed so that when it is safe for them to return home they would be effective participants in the essential rebuilding of the economy and institutions of Zimbabwe.'

John Bercow MP (Cons.)
'The restrictions on asylum-seekers' right to work should be lifted.  At present, thousands of asylum-seekers trained as doctors, engineers, scientists and other professionals are prevented from using their skills, earning a living and benefiting Britain.  This enforced idleness is bad for them, bad for the taxpayer and bad for the economy.'

Sir John Waite, speaking on 30 June at the launch of the Independent Asylum Commission's report, 'Safe Return - How to improve what happens when we refuse people sanctuary' (www.principleconsulting.org.uk/Safe_Return.pdf), said:
'The British Government rightly condemns Mugabe for using access to food as a tool in his election campaign, yet it seems absurd that many Zimbabweans who have sought sanctuary in the UK from the violence and intimidation that we denounce are also forced to rely on charity handouts and food parcels from the Red Cross to survive while in the UK.  Clearly, while Zimbabweans can't be returned to their country in the short term, it is unjustifiable that we don't allow them the opportunity to provide for themselves.'

Sir John was also quoted in last Sunday's Observer:
'Our nation's leaders have loudly condemned the Mugabe regime, but perhaps we should also look a little closer to home, to the thousands of Zimbabwean asylum seekers who have been left in a harsh legal limbo - unable to work, deprived of welfare and unable to return home.  If the British people had heard what we have heard from destitute Zimbabweans they would be troubled and even ashamed'.

Nick Scott-Flynn, head of refugee services at the Red Cross, said Zimbabweans in the UK 'are in limbo - not allowed to work and not allowed to receive benefits. [This policy] is causing a lot of needless suffering, and there is no evidence it is encouraging people to return home'.

Marilyn Bonzo from Zimbabwe
'I was targeted by Mugabe's war veterans after being accused of supporting the MDC.  I did not want to leave my country and my family, but I had no choice after my life was threatened.  I now live on the charity of my British friends and food that the Red Cross give me.  While I am grateful for this help, there is no reason why I cannot work and support myself, which is why I want to be able to survive on my sweat and not have to be given handouts.'